Partition system

Abstract

A partition system for office spaces which generally includes a structure or framework. In one embodiment, spring clips are provided for attaching adjacent framework components to one another, the spring clips including a pair of spring arms having buttons which protrude through and engage overlapping apertures of the frame components to both align and secure the frame components to one another. In another embodiment, a connector bracket is provided for attachment to a vertical frame member of the partition system at a variety of vertical locations along the vertical frame member, the connector bracket providing a rigid attachment point for a horizontal frame member to the vertical frame member to facilitate a high-low connection feature within the partition system framework. In a further embodiment, a swivel connector bracket includes a pair of L-shaped members pivotally attached to one another, the swivel bracket positionable in different orientations to be commonly used to connect adjacent framework components in L-type, T-type, and X-type junctions.

1 . A partition system, comprising; 
 a framework disposed upon a floor surface, said framework comprising: 
 a first frame member including a pair of opposed first apertures;  
 a second frame member including a pair of opposed second apertures, said first and second frame members disposed in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another; and  
 a spring clip including a pair of opposing spring arms each having a button, said buttons projecting through respective ones of said first and said second apertures to connect said first and second frame members.  
   
   
   
       2 . The partition system of  claim 1 , wherein said framework further comprises a vertical frame member, and said first and second frame members are disposed horizontally with one of said first and second frame members connected to said vertical frame member.  
   
   
       3 . The partition system of  claim 1 , wherein said second frame member is disposed within said first frame member, with said second apertures disposed internally of said first apertures.  
   
   
       4 . The partition system of  claim 1 , wherein said spring clip is disposed within said second frame member.  
   
   
       5 . The partition system of  claim 1 , wherein said spring clip has a substantially V-shaped profile with said spring arms joined at first ends thereof, and second ends of said spring arms including said buttons, said buttons projecting outwardly in opposite directions.  
   
   
       6 . The partition system of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second apertures have respective first and second diameters, said first diameter less than said second diameter.  
   
   
       7 . The partition system of  claim 6 , wherein said buttons of said spring clip are each tapered in shape with a greater diameter portion contacting said second apertures and a lesser diameter portion contacting said first apertures whereby said buttons concentrically align said first and second apertures.  
   
   
       8 . The partition system of  claim 7 , wherein said buttons of said spring clip are each dome-shaped.  
   
   
       9 . The partition system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second frame members includes multiple pairs of said apertures, whereby the point of connection between said first and second frame members may be adjustably varied.  
   
   
       10 . The partition system of  claim 1 , wherein said first frame member has an upwardly-open, channel-type profile with a bottom wall and opposed side walls, said first apertures respectively disposed in said opposed side walls.  
   
   
       11 . The partition system of  claim 10 , wherein said second frame member has a rectangular cross-section with opposed side walls, said second apertures respectively disposed in said opposed side walls, said second frame member received within said first frame member with said respective opposed side walls of said first frame member and said second frame member in abutment with one another.  
   
   
       12 . The partition system of  claim 1 , wherein said second frame member includes opposite end portions each including a pair of said second apertures, said opposite end portions of said second frame member each disposed in overlapping relationship with a said first frame member with two said spring clips respectively connecting said second frame members between said first frame members.  
   
   
       13 . A partition system, comprising; 
 a framework disposed upon a floor surface, said framework comprising: 
 a first frame member including at least one first aperture, said first aperture having a first diameter;  
 a second frame member including at least one second aperture, said second aperture having a second diameter less than said first diameter, said first and second frame members disposed in an overlapping relationship with respect to one another; and  
 a spring clip including at least one spring arm having a tapered button, said button projecting successively through said first and said second apertures, whereby said button concentrically aligns said first and second apertures and connects said first and second frame members.  
   
   
   
       14 . The partition system of  claim 13 , wherein said framework further comprises a vertical frame member, and said first and second frame members are disposed horizontally with one of said first and second frame members connected to said vertical frame member.  
   
   
       15 . The partition system of  claim 13 , wherein said first frame member is disposed within said second frame member, with said first apertures disposed internally of said second apertures.  
   
   
       16 . The partition system of  claim 13 , wherein said button of said spring clip includes a greater diameter portion and a lesser diameter portion, said greater diameter portion contacting said first aperture and said lesser diameter portion contacting said second aperture.  
   
   
       17 . The partition system of  claim 16 , wherein said button of said spring clip is dome-shaped.  
   
   
       18 . The partition system of  claim 17 , wherein said first frame member includes an opposed pair of said first apertures, said second frame member includes an opposed pair of said second apertures, and said spring clip includes an opposed pair of said spring arms each having a button, said buttons projecting through respective ones of said first and said second apertures.  
   
   
       19 . The partition system of  claim 18 , wherein said spring clip has a substantially V-shaped profile with said spring arms joined at first ends thereof, and second ends of said spring arms including said buttons, said buttons projecting outwardly in opposite directions.  
   
   
       20 . A partition system, comprising; 
 a framework disposed upon a floor surface, said framework comprising: 
 a vertical frame member having a wall with a plurality of vertically spaced openings, a first surface, and a second surface opposite said first surface;  
 a bracket rigidly attached to said vertical frame member, said bracket extending through one of said openings and having a first portion disposed outwardly of said first surface and a second portion in tight abutment with said second surface; and  
 a horizontal frame member rigidly attached to said first portion of said bracket, whereby said bracket provides a rigid attachment between said horizontal and vertical frame members.  
   
   
   
       21 . The partition system of  claim 20 , wherein said vertical frame member is substantially rectangular in cross-section with a plurality of said walls defining an interior thereof, and wherein said first surface is an exterior surface and said second surface is an interior surface.  
   
   
       22 . The partition system of  claim 20 , wherein said bracket comprises: 
 at least one anchor portion received within said one opening in said vertical frame member and including a first segment disposed exteriorly of said vertical frame member and a second segment in tight abutment with said interior surface of said vertical frame member; and    a spacer portion attached to said first segment of said anchor portion with at least one fastener.    
   
   
       23 . The partition system of  claim 22 , wherein said fastener is a threaded fastener, said fastener threadably engaging said spacer portion and said anchor portion in a manner in which said spacer portion is drawn into tight abutment with said exterior surface of said vertical frame member and said first segment of said anchor portion is drawn into tight abutment with said interior surface of said vertical frame member.  
   
   
       24 . The partition system of  claim 22 , wherein said bracket comprises a pair of said anchor portions, said anchor portions disposed within said one opening of said vertical frame member in opposed, contacting relationship with respect to one another.  
   
   
       25 . The partition system of  claim 24 , wherein said anchor portions are each generally C-shaped.  
   
   
       26 . The partition system of  claim 24 , wherein said anchor portions are separably insertable within said opening.  
   
   
       27 . The partition system of  claim 20 , wherein each said opening in said vertical frame member is shaped as a slot extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vertical frame member.  
   
   
       28 . The partition system of  claim 22 , wherein said horizontal frame member is attached to said bracket with at least one fastener extending through aligned apertures in said horizontal frame member and at least one of said anchor portion and said spacer portion of said bracket.  
   
   
       29 . A partition system, comprising; 
 a framework disposed upon a floor surface, said framework comprising: 
 a vertical frame member having a wall with a plurality of vertically spaced openings, a first surface, and a second surface opposite said first surface;  
 a bracket rigidly attached to said vertical frame member, said bracket including a pair of generally C-shaped anchor portions extending through one of said openings, said anchor portions each having a first segment disposed outwardly of said first surface and a second segment in tight abutment with said second surface; and  
 a horizontal frame member rigidly attached to said first segments of said anchor portions, whereby said bracket provides a rigid attachment between said horizontal and vertical frame members.  
   
   
   
       30 . The partition system of  claim 29 , wherein said vertical frame member is substantially rectangular in cross-section with a plurality of said walls defining an interior thereof, and wherein said first surface is an exterior surface and said second surface is an interior surface.  
   
   
       31 . The partition system of  claim 30 , wherein said bracket further includes a spacer portion attached to said first segments of said anchor portions with at least one fastener.  
   
   
       32 . The partition system of  claim 31 , wherein said fastener is a threaded fastener, said fastener threadably engaging said spacer portion and said anchor portions in a manner in which said spacer portion is drawn into tight abutment with said exterior surface of said vertical frame member and said first segment of said anchor portion is drawn into tight abutment with said interior surface of said vertical frame member.  
   
   
       33 . The partition system of  claim 29 , wherein said anchor portions are separably insertable within said opening.  
   
   
       34 . The partition system of  claim 29 , wherein each said opening in said vertical frame member is shaped as a slot extending in a longitudinal direction with respect to said vertical frame member.  
   
   
       35 . The partition system of  claim 31 , wherein said horizontal frame member is attached to said bracket with at least one fastener extending through aligned apertures in said horizontal frame member and at least one of said anchor portion and said spacer portion of said bracket.  
   
   
       36 . A partition system, comprising: 
 a plurality of frame components, each including connection structure; and    a connector bracket connecting at least a pair of said frame components, said connector bracket comprising: 
 first and second L-shaped members pivotally attached to one another, each L-shaped member having a pair of arms adapted to engage said attachment structure of said frame components, said L-shaped members pivotal between at least three orientations, including a first orientation in which said arms of said L-shaped members overlap one another whereby said connector bracket has an L-shape, a second orientation in which one arm of said first L-shaped member overlaps one arm of said second L-shaped member whereby said connector bracket has a T-shape, and a third orientation in which none of said arms of said first and second L-shaped members overlap one another whereby said connector bracket has an X-shape.  
   
   
   
       37 . The partition system of  claim 36 , wherein said connector bracket is disposed in said first orientation, said arms of said L-shaped members connecting said connection structure of two of said frame components with said two frame components disposed in an L-shaped orientation.  
   
   
       38 . The partition system of  claim 36 , wherein said connector bracket is disposed in said second orientation, said arms of said L-shaped members connecting said connection structure of three of said frame components with said three frame components disposed in a T-shaped orientation.  
   
   
       39 . The partition system of  claim 36 , wherein said connector bracket is disposed in said third orientation, said arms of said L-shaped members connecting said connection structure of four of said frame components with said four frame components disposed in an X-shaped orientation.